Choosing an SUV as your daily driver is always a great idea. The commanding position an SUV offers plus the increased interior space and general capability of the vehicle are becoming the most desired car features these days.
If you are a tall driver, a compact SUV crossover might not be perfect if you plan on regularly transporting multiple larger adults. But something like a Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota Highlander, or a Hyundai Santa Fe offer ample space for front occupants.
If you opt for a mid-size SUV, you will experience a significant increase in size and interior space. SUVs like the BMW X5, Nissan Pathfinder, Ford Edge, and the Hyundai Palisade are more than enough for tall drivers.
If you opt for a full-size SUV like the Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, BMW X7 or a Mercedes GLS, you will enjoy cavernous cargo and passenger space for up to 7 passengers.
Compact crossover SUVs for tall people
As mentioned previously, a compact crossover SUV might be the smallest SUV of the bunch, but all newer crossover SUVs are spacious enough for tall people. If you are above 6 feet 9, and you are looking for an SUV that will comfortably transport you and your tall friends, then go for a spacious mid or full-size SUV.
Something like the new Volkswagen Tiguan is often considered the perfect all-around car. That’s because a compact SUV offers the majority of the features associated with larger SUVs, but they don’t cost as much. That being said, a Tiguan offers 41.3 inches of driver headroom and 41.5 inches of driver legroom.
The Toyota Highlander is an incredibly popular small SUV, and for a good reason because Toyota offers class-leading reliability at a competitive price. The Highlander offers almost 40 inches of driver headroom and 42 inches of driver legroom.
A Hyundai Santa Fe offers class-leading interior space at a reasonable price. It’s worth mentioning that brands like the BMW, Audi, Land Rover, and Mercedes make better compact SUVs, but they do lack in space compared to the 42.6 inches of driver headroom and 41.2 inches of driver legroom of the Santa Fe.
Mid-size SUVs for tall people
A mid-size SUV is probably the perfect size for an SUV if you don’t plan on transporting more than 5 passengers. They are big enough to offer a true SUV experience, but they are not colossal like full-size SUVs which might be a problem for some people.
If you are tall, any mid-size SUV will probably do, but the new BMW X5 is most likely the most premium of the bunch. The X5 offers 41 inches of driver headroom and around 41.5 inches of driver legroom. Even though the Bimmer does not offer class-leading interior space, what it does offer is class-leading comfort and luxury.
SUVs like the Ford Edge on the other hand do try to offer class-leading headroom and legroom at an impressive 40.2 inches of headroom and 42.6 inches of legroom. The Nissan Pathfinder succeeds at doing so at an even more impressive 42 inches of both the driver headroom and the driver legroom.
But the most spacious mid-size SUV is the Hyundai Palisade at 39.3 inches of driver’s headroom and 44.1 inches of driver’s legroom. But it’s hard to make a mistake when buying a mid-size SUV if you want space and comfort, this means that 99% of mid-size SUVs will be more than plenty spacious.
Full-size SUVs for tall people
If you opt for a full-size flagship SUV, you are not going to be lacking any space at all. Full-size SUVs are indeed the best option to go for if you want the most space available for up to 7 passengers. Full-size SUVs do cost the most, but you will feel like the king of the road, and this easily justifies the price.
Opting for a Chevy Suburban/Chevy Tahoe will give 42.3 inches of driver headroom and 44.5 inches of driver legroom, which is class-leading in the full-size SUV segment. A Ford Expedition offers 42 inches of driver headroom and 43.9 inches of driver legroom, not far of, and of these are more than enough.
Something like a Mercedes GLS will offer you 39.4 inches of driver headroom and 40.3 inches of driver legroom. A BMW X7 offers 42 inches of driver headroom and 39.8 inches of driver legroom. European SUVs are usually smaller, but they are also more than enough for most people.
FAQ Section
Should I buy a mid-size or a full-size SUV if I am tall?
In most cases, both the mid-size and the full-size SUV segments offer ample space for taller drivers. If you are planning to regularly transport more than 5 passengers, go for a full-size 7-seater SUV. If you are primarily going to drive by yourself, go for a mid-size SUV.
Any of these will do because both of these segments are designed to accommodate larger individuals. You are hardly going to notice the difference if you are not 6 feet 9 or higher. You can always lower the seats and push the seats all the way back, if you still don’t fit, go for a Hyundai Sonata.
Are full-size SUVs better than small or mid-size SUVs?
Not necessarily, most SUVs sold are compact or mid-size, only a smaller percentage of SUVs are full-size. Full-size SUVs are larger, more expensive, less fuel-efficient, harder to see out of, and more demanding to navigate through tighter city streets.
All of these offer similar features and amenities, and in most cases, a full-size SUV is just larger. But some full-size SUVs like the Maybach GLS are indeed better than a top-of-the-line Mercedes GLE. But the GLE on itself is already an amazing SUV.
Is a sedan more spacious than an SUV?
Contrary to popular belief, some sedans are indeed more spacious than some SUVs are. Cars like the Nissan Altima or the Hyundai Sonata offer more than 45 inches of driver legroom, which is more than most SUVs.
This only further reiterates that almost all car segments are more than capable of accomodating larger individuals. Smaller hatchbacks should be avoided, even though they might be spacious enough, this will usually require you to rob a great portion of the rear seat space.
